Narrative Techniques:

- Foreshadowing
- Use of symbolism

Symbolism:

The Scarlet Letter overflows with symbols.

1. The scarlet letter itself (A), which stands for adultery and whom Hester must wear as a mark of
her damnation. As the plot unfolds, the meaning of the scarlet letter evolves from a symbol of
shame and wrongdoing and sin, to a symbol of empathy and human fragility. The letter also
symbolizes the heroine’s evolution from a moral point of view, as she now has her own way to
define innocence and immorality, affection and compassion.
2. Pearl’s role in the novel is to function as a symbol. She is the living and breathing prove of her
mother’s sin, which turns her into an animated scarlet letter. However, she’s more than just a
vivid memory and a retribution for Hester, she is also the embodiment of the passion that lead
to her mother’s sin. As a result, Pearl is the one who keeps her mother alive and helps her move
on every day. Pearl maintains her symbolic status up until the moment when Dimmesdale
reveals his identity as her father. Afterwards, she gains the “human” status.
3. The Meteor. In chapter 12, a meteor crosses an A on the sky the moment Dimmesdale stands on
the scaffold with Hester and Pearl. Dimmesdale takes it as a sign that he should wear the same
letter to mark his sin just like Hester. However, the rest of the community gives their own
interpretation of the letter, that is “Angel”, a mark that stands for Governor Winthrop’s arrival to
heaven. The Puritans always interpreted symbols as divine signs, but in this context, the symbols
are interpreted the way the beholder wants to interpret them.

The Narrative Structure:

- Frame narrative (the beginning and the ending are connected, while the middle, which
represents the main story is set in past times)
- “A Custom House” (the introduction) forms a connection between the narrator and the reader,
as Hawthorne uses a remorseful and high-spirited tone when writing “The Custom House”, only
to later switch to a much darker and gloomy tone in The Scarlet Letter.
- Narrator addresses the reader in “The Custom House” and an audience in The Scarlet Letter
Foreshadowing

Throughout The Scarlet Letter, the narrator suggests multiple times that the minister is Pearl’s father,
thus when he finally confesses the truth, it does not shock the reader anymore. The narrator also
foresees in the introduction that Hester’s story will have a happy ending, as she is associated with an
angelic presence who uses her life to help needing people. However, the true use of foreshadowing is
highlighted in the clues regarding the real personalities of the characters.

1. Dimmesdale is a passive character

He is introduced to the reader for the first time when the governor asked him to persuade Hester to
reveal who is her child’s father. While Dimmesdale’s position is a very powerful one, Hawthorne
describes his nature as weak and passive (“there was an air about this young minister – an apprehensive,
a startled, a half-frightened look.”) Even throughout the novel, Hawthorne showcases how, even though
both him and Hester bear the same weight of the shame and sin, Hester is stronger than him.
Dimmesdale does not accept his acts and does not move on in life because of it. This characterization
foresees that although he has a major role in the society, he is weak and powerless. Hester is strong and
courageous enough to keep her composure on the scaffold, while Dimmesdale breaks down into crying
the first time and then dies the second time.

2. Chillingworth – unsatisfying revenge

Chillingworth has the sole purpose of taking revenge. Nevertheless, Hawthorne hints early in the novel
that his wish for revenge will bring him no joy and that he will die still afflicted by the unsatisfactory
result. His self-control is constantly shattered by the fact that he cannot fight his own feelings (“a
writhing horror twisted itself across his features… his face darkened with some powerful emotion, which,
nevertheless, he so instantaneously controlled by an effort of his will.”)

3. Hester accepting her faith

When the reader firstly encounters the heroine, she is somehow proudly wearing the sinful sign on her
chest: “She turned her eyes downward at the scarlet letter, and even touched it with her finger, to assure
herself that the infant and her shame were real. Yes! – these were her realities, -- all else had vanished!”
This initial scene, when she sits on the scaffold with the two marks of her acts, the child and the scarlet A
foresees the fact that ultimately, Hester might accept her destiny and wear the sign even after losing its
initial meaning of “adulteress”.

Introduction

As Hawthorne suggests in his introduction, The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a story
considered quite improper by the readers at its publication time. Even today, some of the subjects it
touches upon are still considered as contentious as they were two centuries ago. The narration seems
simple and dramatic at the first glance, but it overflows with symbols and allusions, which are topped by
the intriguing presence of an omniscient judgmental narrator. This paper aims to present some aspects
related to the narrative structure of the novel, the narrator, the tone and perspective of the narration
and some narrative techniques that were used by the author.